The plot thickens!
As always, thank you to all of my readers and reviewers. You guys are great, and inspire me. (smile) I can't believe it's been 41 chapters, over 200 reviews and over 10000 hits! I feel so...cool. In the most abstract sense possible, haha.
By the way...the September issue of WWE Magazine...buy it. The Undertaker looks FANTASTIC on it. I'm mean, he is WOW. Check it out.
And now...onto the story! As promised, things are going to get a bit more serious, and Hunter and 'Taker are going to start to seem a little...heel-ish... Well, you'll see. Enjoy!
The next night was a Supershow--RAW, ECW, and SmackDown all together for one epic night. Shawn already had a bad feeling about tonight, but his worry only increased when both Hunter and 'Taker decided to go to the arena hours early, separately of course…and without him.
"Don't worry, Beautiful, I'll ride with you," Kevin said kindly when he saw the upset look on Shawn's face as he stood alone in the hotel lobby with his gym bag.
HBK smiled up at Big Daddy Cool. "Thanks Kev. You're always there when I need you…and sometimes when I don't."
Nash chuckled. "Ouch. Good one, Heartbreaker." He playfully nudged Shawn's side with his elbow. "Hey, just so you know, if you ever get tired of those two jackasses, I'll always be here."
"I know," Shawn said softly, trying to erase the idea of the possibility of losing both his boyfriends from his mind, though it seemed to be more of a possibility every day. "I know."
The Undertaker rolled his eyes when he saw the posted schedule of matches. He was, once again, in a Tag Match with Batista, a few matches after the DX match, this time against Mark Henry and Khali. The only bright spot in all this was the fact that he was sure his plan was probably working out perfectly even now. An evil smile appeared on his face as he imagined Hunter's face when Shawn caught him…
"Wish I could see it," he whispered, going into the locker room to change. To his surprise, when he opened the door, Batista was already in there, sitting casually on a bench.
"Here to talk strategy?" 'Taker asked with a raised eyebrow, folding his arms. Batista knew better than this.
"No, I'm here to invite you out for a drink after we win our match tonight."
The Deadman sighed inwardly. "Batista…I'm busy tonight. And why the sudden offer?"
"Busy with Shawn?" the Animal asked, earning a scowl. "It's not like that's a secret anymore. You told all of us yourself." He bent down to lace his right boot. "Although most of the guys were betting that you and Shawn would break it off when Hunter returned. Guess not."
The Undertaker rolled his eyes and slid his shirt over his head. "You think I give a shit what the other guys say?" he asked with a short laugh.
Batista smiled. "Not at all but…I'll have you know, some of the guys are beginning to think that you're getting weak."
'Taker's head turned to him sharply. "What?" he barked.
"You know…You're going soft, or so they say. I mean, Shawn has done the impossible: He's tamed the Deadman."
The Undertaker took an angry step towards Batista, who had sense enough to jump on the other side of the bench.
"Hey, I'm just repeating what I heard," Batista said defensively. "But…if you want my opinion, Shawn really has a way of ruining people's reputations. I mean, look at Hunter..." He saw the Undertaker's eyes flash dangerously, and took another few steps back.
"Don't you ever say anything about Shawn Michaels again," 'Taker growled. "This is your first and last warning, do you understand me?" He began to stalk over to the Animal again, cornering him quickly. "And, secondly, I am anything but tame. Do you want to see how tame I am, Animal, hmm?" Faster than lightening, 'Taker brought his hand up and punched Batista in the nose, sending the big man sprawling.
"Still think I'm weak?" he asked, kicking the fallen man in the side. "Think I'm going soft now?!" 'Taker reached down to grab Batista's throat, but then thought better of it. Something Batista said had caught his interest.
"Tell me the truth," the Undertaker growled, kneeling down and pulling the Animal up by his neck. "What are they saying about me and Shawn?"
Batista's brown eyes flashed with fear, but he felt that 'Taker should know the truth. "They… Well, some of the guys think that you're a…slut. They say that it explains a lot about you."
"But why?!" the Deadman yelled, shaking Batista angrily. "I haven't been with anyone but Shawn!"
"But that's exactly why!" Dave yelled back, becoming frustrated that 'Taker couldn't--or didn't want to--see the answer right in front of him. "You're with Shawn Michaels, who has a reputation for being the biggest slut in the WWE! You're guilty by association! I mean, look at him now! He has two boyfriends!"
Without a moment's hesitation, the Undertaker smacked the Animal hard in the face. "It's not Shawn's fault," he whispered, teeth clenched. "And anyone who says otherwise is going to answer to me. Now why don't you spread that rumor, you stupid son of a bitch!"
Shawn wrapped his arm around Hunter's waist as they made their way to the locker room after their match. It had been a short match, but any match against Umaga was sure to leave bruises and scars. Still, it had been an impressive win.
"That's a nasty mark, Hunt," Shawn said softly, poking the large black and blue bruise on Triple H's side, making the Game hiss.
"Thanks for pointing that out, Shawn," he said with one eye closed, and a small smile on his lips. "But I'll be okay. I've had much worse."
HBK shook his head. "I know you've had worse, but you hit the mat hard when Umaga gave you that Samoan Drop, and there may be some damage to your ribs."
Hunter rolled his eyes. "Since when did you become Dr. Michaels?" he asked sarcastically, and Shawn poked him in the bruise again. "Ouch! Stop doing that!"
"See? It hurts--I'm getting the trainer." Shawn turned to go. "I'll see you in the locker room in 10, okay?"
Hunter nodded and waved Shawn away, gingerly touching the bruise on his side. 'Just below the ribs…damn,' he thought, going into the locker room and sitting heavily on the bench. After a moment, however, he felt a pair of eyes on him, and looked around.
"Hey, Triple H," a low voice said from the door. The Game turned and saw CM Punk standing there, arms folded. "What's up?"
"Ah, nothing much," Hunter answered, leaning back against the cool lockers. "What brings you here? Come for some free DX merch?"
"Not at all." CM Punk's easy smile dimmed suddenly, and he walked over to the Game, standing right in front of him. "Would you do anything for Shawn?" he asked suddenly. Hunter blinked.
"Of course…But why do you ask?"
"Because now I know that you'll understand why I'm doing this. And…I'm so sorry in advance." Without warning, the Straight-Edge Superstar knelt down and kissed Triple H softly on the lips. He felt the Game stiffen, and then relax, brown eyes closing. The entire time, Punk's mind was replaying the conversation he'd had earlier that day.
CM Punk had just arrived at the arena when he heard a low, deep voice calling him. He had followed the voice to a darkened hallway, and felt a flash of terror when he realized who the owner of that voice was.
"No, don't be scared," the Undertaker had said with surprising calmness, although his green eyes seemed to be on fire. "I have to ask you something."
Punk kept his guard up, but raised an eyebrow. "Ask away."
"It seems as though you have a thing for my brother Kane…Is this true?"
CM Punk felt his heart stop. His eyes narrowed, but he was sweating. "Maybe I do… Why do you want to know?" he answered nonchalantly.
And now the Undertaker smiled, and it frightened the younger man greatly. "Because, I want to make a deal with you." And now the man known as the Deadman took several slow steps towards the ECW Superstar. "You do something for me, and I'll do something for you."
CM Punk remained silent, watching this large monster approach him. What could he possibly want? And how did he know about his secret crush on Kane? It was like an unthinkable fantasy for Punk… He was drawn to Kane like a damn moth to a flame. Kane was in enigma. And wonderfully sexy enigma.
His thoughts were brought to a screeching halt when he felt a hand run through his hair once. "Are you game?" the Undertaker was asking, green eyes focusing on the dark strands that flowed through his fingers. "You do this for me, and I'll make my brother notice you. He's pretty easy anyway."
"What do you want me to do?" CM Punk asked before he could stop himself. And, again, the Deadman smiled.
"Listen carefully. After DX have their match…"
"Hunter!"
Triple H and CM Punk turned quickly to see Shawn Michaels standing in the doorway, the trainer at his side, an incredulous look on his face. Hunter blinked, mind still trying to process what had happened.
"Why, Hunter?" Shawn asked, voice laced with pain and the beginnings of anger. "What are you doing?"
The Game looked between Shawn and Punk, shaking his head. "I don't know, I--" He stood up, pushing the Pepsi Warrior aside. "Shawn, I…"
HBK turned suddenly, and ran from the locker room. Hunter turned to stare angrily at CM Punk.
"What the hell was that?!" he yelled. "Why did you kiss me?!" Punk only sighed.
"The Undertaker, he--"
That was all Triple H needed to hear. In a moment, he was up and out of the locker room, hoping to run into Shawn, to apologize, or into the Undertaker, to kill him.
Batista's eyes darkened with hurt, and he felt anger building inside of him. "I'd never spread any rumors about you…or anyone you loved," he said after a long moment in a low voice, which gave 'Taker pause. "I've only ever defended you out there…When the guys talk, I shut them up, because I know you're better than that…" He looked away, feeling a lump in his throat.
The Undertaker slowly released his grip on Batista neck, feeling like a prick. "I'm sorry Dave," he said softly, sitting back on his heels, allowing the fallen man to raise himself into a sitting position. "I guess you're one of the few people I shouldn't be fighting against, huh?"
Batista bit his bottom lip. "I don't want you to fight me, but I also want…" He suddenly found it hard to look into the Undertaker's green eyes.
'It's not like he can see into my soul,' he thought with a self-depreciating chuckle, when suddenly, he felt a large, gentle hand on the side of his face. His brown eyes locked with green ones, and he was frozen.
"Kane told me," the Undertaker began, eyes inquisitive. "That you wanted me." He watched the slightly smaller man's eyes grow wide. "I already know that you respect me, and now I know that you're defending my honor. I guess I couldn't ask for more from you, could I?" A small smile rested on his lips, and Batista shuddered.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, suddenly afraid for his life.
"Quiet, Dave. I'm thanking you, so shut up and enjoy it, because it ain't happening again." In one swift motion, the Undertaker brought Batista's lips to his, capturing them in a hard kiss. Both men closed their eyes, and a low moaned escaped Batista's lips. He figured he wasn't going to get more than a kiss, but it was more than he had ever hoped for.
'This isn't so bad,' the Undertaker was thinking, not wanting the kiss to go on for too long. 'Besides, if this helps stop some of the rumors about Shawn…' Suddenly, he heard the door of the locker room open, slamming against the wall.
'Taker pulled away from Batista immediately and saw Shawn standing in the doorway, blue eyes already red, face locked in an expression of surprise. Neither man said a word as they stared at one another for a long, painful moment. The Undertaker managed to swallow his heart, which felt as though it was now pounding in his throat, and choked out a single word:
"Shawn…"
That seemed to break the spell of stillness that had fallen on the Heartbreak Kid. He turned and ran from the room, and Mark jumped up.
"Fuck!" he swore, running from the room as well, praying that he could catch up with Shawn before he left the arena. Batista, still sitting on the floor, could only watch, and was suddenly thankful that he was single man.
And in the back of his mind, he wondered how Hunter had known that Shawn would show up when he did.
I feel so bad for Shawn... (sobs)
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